Wednesday, May 28, 2008 PRA-Cebu launches search for outstanding retailers
LOCAL retailers in Cebu launched a search for outstanding retailers in an effort to recognize more homegrown talents that have the potential to become national players.
Jonathan Aldeguer, president of the Philippine Retailer’s Association Cebu chapter (PRA-Cebu), said in a press conference yesterday that since three companies from Cebu have already been recognized in the national search, the group wants to acknowledge Cebuano brands that can make it not just in the national level, but also in the international market.
“Cebu is a breeding ground for world-class retailers,” Aldeguer said.
Penshoppe and Island Souvenirs have already won the Outstanding Filipino Retailer (OFR) awards thrice and were elevated to the OFR Hall of Fame.
Last year, Cebu Bel-mont Inc. (Belmont) was awarded Regional Retailer of the Year by the PRA.
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Chester Lim, vice president of Belmont, said the company was surprised to have won the title since they only have two stores in Cebu and they have not broken through the national market yet.
Lim said that since the hardware business industry is very competitive, it was initially hard for them to comply with quality and fair trade practices as required by the Department of Industry (DTI).
“But we have to stick to our core values,” Lim said, adding that the company had to be selective of its products and go only for quality if it wants to go for the “next level.”
“Hopefully (our story) can inspire other homegrown companies to aspire to go for the national market,” he said.
Among the criteria for the selection of the first Cebuano OFR finalists are the company’s social consciousness efforts and reputation.
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DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte lauded PRA-Cebu’s initiative, saying that competitions like the search for OFRs in Cebu will help upgrade the retail industry.
“This will elevate the retailers to a level of competitiveness,” she added.
Caberte will sit as one of the board of judges who will be selecting the finalists. Bernie Liu, president of Golden ABC Inc., is the chairman of the program.
The 10 finalists will be announced during the second Cebu Regional Retail Conference on June 21.
The chosen retailers will also be endorsed to the national search and will be exempted from the national screening.
Homegrown Cebuano retailers are qualified for nomination but the company has to be in operation for a minimum of five years.
Under the Most Promising Retailer category, the company with a minimum of two years in operation can be nominated.
Aside from the DTI or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company must also be registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
The office of the PRA-Cebu chapter will be accepting nominations until June 11. (DME)
